Publisher of 3 tabloids sued for ‘lewd content’

The Philippine Alliance Against Pornography has filed a case against the publisher of three tabloids deemed to have excessive lewd content.

Named respondents were Sunny Mallari, publisher of Bosero, Toro and Toro Tonite; Vilma Manzo, president; Gaspar San Diego, editor; and Pesky Natividad, a writer of the tabloids.

Santos Ofracio, Jr., the legal counsel of the PAAP, disclosed that the respondents were charged with violation of Article 21 of the Revised Penal Code (obscene publications) before assistant prosecutor Dennis Rafa.

Aldo Filomeno, spokesperson of PAAP, said that they selected the publications which portrayed excessive nudity as the first respondents in the initial case.

He explained that several similar cases failed to prosper in the past because pictures of topless women were "not considered pornographic."

Part of the evidence presented by the complainants were published photographs of women in full frontal nudity.

According to PAAP Executive Director Reverend Pete Guerrero, the complaint filed in Makati City is the first in a series of cases the group will pursue all over the country.

In the next few weeks, the group will file similar cases in all areas of Metro Manila where the publications are being distributed.

"We call on the administration, particularly President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to intensify the implementation of the laws against pornography as part of her efforts to strengthen morality among her constituents," PAAP said in a statement.

Pete Delos Reyes, an overseas contract worker and the co-complainant in the case, said that he represents the private citizens and the parents who are concerned about the proliferation of pornographic materials in the market. – Marvin Sy